Overview:
We asked our journalists at Bucket List Community News an example of a project they did that had an impact in the community.
We’re heading into the second week of our Back to School Fundraiser here at Bucket List Community News.
Last week, as part of our “Bucket List on the Street” series, some of Bucket List’s student reporters and apprentices shared what they believe Bucket List brings to the local community.
This week, we’re taking that question a step further. We asked our reporters: “What is one specific example of a project you did for Bucket List Community News that had an impact in the community?”
Engaging with the international community
For Marcelo Brant, an international student from Brazil who just wrapped up his internship with Bucket List, engaging with Denver’s international communities was the most rewarding part of his time reporting.
“One story I worked on that really captured the sense of community in Denver was a story about international communities getting together in Denver to watch the World Cup,” Marcelo said. “A lot of people actually messaged me trying to find watch parties and places they could go to watch the World Cup.”
Preserving Sakura Square
Emily Doskow, one of Bucket List’s multimedia journalists, seconds the sentiment of working with the diverse neighborhoods of Denver. To her, the opportunity to report on a story about Sakura Square highlighted the importance of preserving Denver’s rich cultural history.
“I think my article on Sakura Square has the biggest impact on the community because it emphasized the cultural significance and history of Denver’s only Japantown and one of the last remaining Japantowns in the country,” Emily said. “And therefore, the importance of preserving it.”
Tackling food insecurity
Linus Loughry, a multimedia journalist at Bucket List, pointed to his experience covering local issues, such as food insecurity, as something that’s impacted his community and career as a young reporter.
“I’ve done a few stories on food insecurity,” Linus said. “I did one in Montbello, where they’re putting in a new non-profit grocery store that is going to have discounted rates compared to a typical supermarket. People are no longer going to be forced to go to 7/11 and will be able to get fresh and healthy products in their own neighborhood.”
Shining attention on unsolved cases
Trinity Schermerhorn, who recently became an apprentice multimedia journalist with Bucket List, found an opportunity to amplify a police case that is getting more attention. For her, the project demonstrated how journalism can connect community members with efforts to find answers.
“One of the most powerful projects I got to work on was reporting about Aurora Police Department’s ‘White Whale’ podcast,” Trinity said. “[The podcast is] covering an unsolved murder case to try to get tips from viewers about potential suspects and information to help solve this case”
Helping with wildfire safety
Ella Berry, a multimedia journalist, talked about her reporting on wildfire prevention as an example of how local reporters can provide residents with vital information for staying safe in their communities.
“One story that I did that I believe has an impact on the local community would be my story about wildfire prevention that I did over the summer,” said Ella. “Boulder, and Colorado as a whole, have been experiencing great wildfire risk, especially this year because we are in a year-long drought. I spoke with fire marshals and local arborists about steps residents can take in order to be more aware and take preventative measures for wildfires.”
From connecting Denver’s international communities to preserving cultural history, addressing food insecurity, highlighting unsolved cases and helping Coloradans prepare for wildfires, our reporters are out in the field showing the many ways local journalism can make a difference.
These stories may cover very different topics, but they all share one thing: they put the people and communities of the Denver metro area at the center of the story.
As we continue our Back to School Fundraiser, a contribution to Bucket List means helping us continue giving young reporters the amazing opportunity to tell those stories — and giving our community a newsroom invested in telling them.
